[13] Japanese artist Hideyuki Katsumata, whom the group met via Myspace, was responsible for making the cover art of Machine Dreams.

[15] Tim Chester of Wondering Sound viewed it as a "more refined version" of Little Dragon's debut album.

[11] Andy Kellman of AllMusic praised the album as an "[electric] quiet storm, deceptively intense and even sensual.

"[12] In a less enthusiastic review, Loud and Quiet critic Tom Goodwyn described Machines Dream as "slick, efficient pop music", writing that "each song flows beautifully into the next, driven by an equally infectious keyboard groove and comes in a perfect pop song length.

"[24] However, he also criticized the record for not taking any chances, labeling the lyrical content as "throwaway" and overall calling the album "cold, vacuum packed and devoid of heart and soul.